Planning to work abroad? The most and least expensive countries for expats in 2025
ALSO READ: A dreamy European vacation right now might actually be a tourist's worst nightmare So where are the world's most expensive countries for expats in 2025? Switzerland, Iceland and Norway are the top three most expensive countries for expats. If a transfer abroad is for one of these countries, make sure that your compensation accounts for a potential higher cost-of-living. 1. Switzerland: Expat Expenditure Score: 9.29/10 Switzerland has the highest cost of living, scoring 9.29 out of 10. The central European nation has the highest average price of a gym membership at £65.74/US$87.40 a month, and the most expensive cinema tickets at £18.15/US$24.13 per ticket on average. It also places second for average public transport tickets (£3.08/US$4.10) and restaurant meals (£99.84/US$132.74).
ALSO READ: Chaos, flight cancellations & delays: France throws summer travel into disarray 2. Iceland: Expat Expenditure Score: 8.48/10 Iceland takes second place for four of the factors we examined. The Nordic nation has the most expensive public transport at £3.77/US$5.01 and petrol costs at £1.84/US$2.44 per litre. It also has the most costly monthly internet bills (£60.44/US$80.36) and eating out costs, at £103/US$136.95 on average for two people. However, it has some of the cheapest utility bills on the list, at £64.31/US$85.50 a month, on average.
ALSO READ: How immigration could muddy the job numbers in US 3. Norway: Expat Expenditure Score: 7.72/10 Norway rounds out the top three. The Scandinavian nation ranks in the top third for most of the factors we looked at. However, it has the third-highest public transport costs, at £3.00/US$3.99 for a one-way ticket. The country also ranks in the top five for the price of a restaurant meal, £71.47/US$95.02, and average monthly internet costs around £44.24/US$58.82. Cheapest countries for expats 1. Mexico: Expat Expenditure Score: 0.67/10 Mexico is the least expensive country in terms of the cost of living, with an overall score of 0.67 out of 10. The North American nation has the cheapest average utility bills and the cheapest gym membership on the list at £46.06/US$61.24 and £25.21/US$33.52 respectively. 2. Lithuania: Expat Expenditure Score: 2.23/10 Lithuania, in the Baltic region of Europe, is next. The country has the cheapest average internet bill, at £11.64/US$15.47 per month. It also ranks in the top five for public transport costs, at £0.85/US$1.13 for a one-way ticket, giving it an overall score of 2.23 out of 10. 3. Poland: Expat Expenditure Score: 2.23/10 Lithuania's neighbour, Poland, is in joint-second place. The country has the second-cheapest cinema tickets, at £5.77/US$7.67 and monthly internet costs at £12.26/US$16.43, and ranks third for its gym membership prices at £27.71/US$36.84 per month.
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